Consumer
China O2O services player Daojia pursues US listing
Daojia, a China-based online-to-offline (O2O) home services provider that has previously received funding from KKR, Alibaba Group, and Ping An Group, has filed for an IPO in the US.
VC-backed Indian game developer bought by Swedish strategic
Indian game studio PlaySimple has been acquired for about $360 million by Sweden’s Modern Times Group (MTG), setting up exits for Elevation Capital and Chiratae Ventures.
Mekong backs Vietnam cosmetics retailer
Mekong Capital has invested in HSV Group, Vietnam’s largest cosmetics retailer with a network of 105 self-operated stores.
China beauty: Traffic jam
The impact of China’s internet-oriented emerging consumer brands is arguably more pronounced in beauty than anywhere else. Gaining a foothold is one challenge, keeping it is another
Temasek, Multiples lead $192m Series F for India's Licious
Temasek Holdings and Multiples Alternate Asset Management have led a $192 million Series F funding round for Licious, an India-based online retailer specializing in fresh meat and seafood.
Indian online gaming business Winzo raises $65m
Winzo, and Indian gaming platform focused on online pool, rummy, poker, and fantasy sports has raised a $65 million Series C round led by US-based Griffin Gaming Partners.
Hong Kong NFT player adds $50m to funding round
Hong Kong’s Animoca Brands, a gaming company focused on blockchain-based non-fungible tokens (NFTs), has raised $50 million from a group including Gobi Partners and a VC unit of Samsung.
Carlyle leads restructuring of Trans Maldivian Airways
The Carlyle Group’s credit platform has led a restructuring of Trans Maldivian Airways (TMA), a Bain Capital-owned seaplane operator whose fortunes are tied to those of the Maldives tourism industry.
Velocity hits first close on Southeast Asia travel fund
Velocity Ventures, a Singapore-based VC firm focused on travel and hospitality, has reached a first close on its debut fund. Commitments stand at 40% of the $20 million target.
Investcorp backs Hong Kong's Heritage Foods
Investcorp has made an investment of undisclosed size in Hong Kong-based Heritage Foods, which has a portfolio of condiment and sauce brands in Singapore, Malaysia, and Japan.
China's ZWC Partners raises $770m
Chinese venture capital firm ZWC Partners has closed its second US dollar-denominated fund at around $770 million, beating a target of $450 million.
PE & gambling: Ante up
Private equity has exhibited consistent appetite for gambling-related assets amid pandemic-fueled uncertainty. Regulation remains a significant wildcard in Asia. Reputational risk, not so much
Deal focus: Carro prioritizes car financing as ecosystem enabler
Southeast Asia’s Carro has achieved critical mass as a used car trading platform, but the start-up regards financial services as the key growth area. It is now backed by SoftBank Vision Fund’s considerable heft
Deal focus: TR Capital doubles down on China tech
Secondaries specialist TR Capital has established a base in Shenzhen with a view to sourcing more deals in China’s red-hot technology sector. Online used car trading platform Bochewang is the latest example
China: A controversial ESOP
An employee stock ownership plan introduced alongside Hillhouse Capital’s 2019 investment in Gree Electric Appliances has raised questions about enrichment and alignment
China's Miss Fresh raises $273m in US IPO, drops on debut
Chinese online grocery delivery platform Miss Fresh raised $273 million through its US IPO, but the company endured a difficult debut and continues to trade well below the offering price.
Tiger Global leads $35m Series C for India's Classplus
Tiger Global Management has led a $65 million Series C round for Classplus, an India-based education technology platform through which teachers can distribute, track, and monetize content.
Redbird Capital buys stake in Indian cricket team
RedBird Capital Partners, a US investment firm that has backed numerous sports franchises globally, has made its first foray into cricket by picking up a 15% stake in Indian Premier League (IPL) team Rajasthan Royals.
Australia carbon neutral courier raises $35m Series C
Sendle, an Australia-based package delivery provider for small businesses that claims to be 100% carbon neutral, has raised a $35 million Series C round led by local investor AP Ventures.
Nippon Investment acquires Japan wine brand
Japanese private equity firm Nippon Investment Corporation (NIC) has acquired the local subsidiary of Germany-based winemaker and distributor Pieroth for an undisclosed sum.
Portfolio: Mandala Capital and EFRAC
Mandala Capital is helping Indian food and pharma testing laboratory EFRAC distinguish itself against a field of ragtag competitors. Personnel, networks, and technology are the critical inputs
KKR buys controlling stake in India's Vini Cosmetics
KKR has agreed to pay $625 million for a controlling stake in Vini Cosmetics, a leading branded personal care and beauty products company in India.
PE-backed China Youran Dairy loses ground after $643m HK IPO
PAG Asia Capital-backed China Youran Dairy Group raised HK$4.99 billion ($643 million) through a Hong Kong IPO but then ended its trading debut below the IPO price.
India's Byju's raises $340m at $16.5b valuation
Indian education platform Byju’s has raised about $340 million at a post-money valuation of $16.5 billion from investors including The Blackstone Group.